Adventures in open adoption

What I learned in March

Grandparents are SUPER FUN! A week-long visit by my parents had Theo on overdrive. They didn’t acually have to DO anything, just their presence was enough to send Theo into paroxyms of excitment.

You can’t control your environment: The public has an opinion, and they aren’t afraid to share it. My recent encounter with a woman who had issues with cross-cultural adoption left me a little shaken. I dislike having to defend my family.

Lego rules: I’m shocked at the hold Lego (or rather Duplo) has on Theo.

Toddlers have control issues: The following involve the use of brute force or squirmy wrestling matches: diaper changes, getting dressed, and brushing his teeth (he’s MORE than happy to “brush” them himself).

We’re lucky we don’t have a barfer: My friend, Amanda, has a super barfer toddler, and her family is battling mini-puke-a-thons on a regular basis. Somehow, she still manages to be funny about it.

Chalk is a great toy for toddlers: Chalk + sidewalk = mess-free fun.

The beach is a blast: Throwing rocks in the water, sticks, sand, dogs, what’s not to love?

Repetition, repetition, repetition: Blogger Amber Strocel wrote about her failure at imaginative play. I’m sure we’ll get there at some point but for now Theo is happy to repeat tasks ad naseum including yes, LEGO, bottle stacking, throwing rocks down grates, chasing a soccer ball and walking the trike.

Farmers’ market a win: I let Theo out of his “cage” at the Nat Bailey Farmers’ Market, and he ran all over meeting dogs, running behind the stalls, and listening to music. Someone even mentioned how “pretty” he was. By the time we left, he was tired and ready to get back in the stroller.

Open adoption relationship shifts according to individual needs: We (our family and the birthfamily) have decided on less frequent visits and email updates for the immediate future to give us all some space to adjust to our individual situations.

Did you learn anything last month? I won’t hold it against you if you didn’t.

We are going through the same thing with Jack when it comes to getting dressed, diaper changes, teeth brushing and the car seat. It is a challenge. The good news is if they ever need a new DIVA on the WWE, I would probably be ready to jump in.

I’m going to get some chalk, but until then, the Precious is drawn to every puddle in sight so we keep his wellies in the stroller. And occasionally a wetsuit, cause that’s how much he loves puddles. I totally miss having the grandparents close by, he adores them and is totally adored by them!

My toddler could spend hours every day pushing toy trains along tracks. He’s not so much a duplo man, but his fixation amazes me all the same. I can’t imagine my daughter spending that much time on a single task even now, at age 6.